The anger has focussed on May, already severely weakened by last week’s election result, who infuriated people by visiting emergency services at the scene on Thursday but not residents, citing “security concerns”.

She visited a hospital and church on Friday to answer the criticism but her departure from the church saw her briskly dart out to avoid the baying locals.

After fleeing Kensington, she struggled in a BBC Newsnight interview that was meant to focus on the £5 million aid package for the fire’s victims.

After May described what victims had told her, Emily Maitlis said people needed to hear her say: “Something has gone badly wrong. It is our fault. We acknowledge that and accept responsibility.”